Skin like silk: cosmetics with silk fibroins

What is “liquid silk” in simple words?

“Liquid silk” refers to silk proteins—high-molecular fibroins, insoluble proteins found in silk produced by silkworm insects.

Fibroin is a biomaterial that is used in various fields: in the production of fabrics and textiles, in medicine, and also in cosmetology.

How is liquid silk produced?

The process of obtaining silk proteins, valuable for health and beauty, is no less fascinating. It all starts with an insect. Once the silkworm reaches 5 years of age, its glands begin to produce silk protein. This substance forms a silk thread and a cocoon from it - the length of the thread on average reaches 1500 m and weighs up to 0.5 g.

At this stage, scientists get involved. They process silk thread and create cosmetic components of silk. The thread consists of two elements: fibroin itself (75%) and sericin (25%). Fibroin is the protein we are talking about, and sericin is the saliva that is used as the “gluing” material when creating the cocoon. The laboratory often gets rid of sericin, but continues to work with pure fibroin.

But obtaining fibroin is not the end goal. Its derivatives are also used in cosmetics. The most popular are 4 of them: silk proteins, silk amino acids, silk peptides and silk powder.

What effect do silk fibroins and its derivatives have?

Silk proteins do not penetrate into the deep layers of the skin, as they are a high-molecular substance. At the same time, they perfectly fill visible “gaps” in the lipid layer - for example, they even out the skin texture and create a special “silk film” that retains moisture in the skin structure.

If silk fibroins are needed to correct external imperfections, then silk peptides are compounds with small molecules. They are primarily known as sources of amino acids. Imagine, the human body contains 20 types of amino acids, and 18 of them are found in low molecular weight liquid silk.

The effect of using products with silk peptides is slightly different, since the area of influence itself changes. For example, peptides are responsible not for external, but for intracellular processes, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, and also prolong the youth of the skin.

Silk powder is another component of cosmetics, but not a skincare one, but a decorative one: for example, powder or highlighter. Dry products with silk powder perfectly hide oily skin.

Who needs cosmetics with silk?

One of the most important “advantages” of cosmetics with silk fibroin is a pronounced lifting effect, but it also provides deep nutrition and reliable protection from external damage. Therefore, if the skin has wrinkles, the top layer is dry, damaged by exposure to sunlight or cold, then cosmetics with silk will be necessary.

Cosmetics containing silk have no contraindications. The component cannot be used only in one case: if a person has intolerance to one of the peptides, however, this condition is rare - purified silk is considered predominantly a hypoallergenic ingredient.

How to choose a quality product with silk?

The first thing you need to pay attention to when choosing skincare products with silk is the price. Such funds cannot be budgetary, because the process of extracting proteins itself takes a lot of time and effort, and you still need to wait for the period of activity of the silkworm.

The second aspect is the result you expect. We have compiled a selection of tools for different needs that will help you make your choice.

FARANDOLE Mayuco Perfect Gel Cream

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The FARANDOLE brand focused on the production of products with silkworm silk. The Mayuco line, for example, includes products based on green silkworm cocoons, the most valuable cosmetic ingredient.

Fibroins obtained from green cocoons are high in alanine, an amino acid that is almost identical to the amino acids found in human skin, as well as glycine and arginine. All these components are responsible for skin hydration and collagen production.

FARANDOLE cream combines the most powerful ingredients: not only amino acids, but also natural oils, retinol, hyaluronic acid, coenzyme Q10 and others. Together, they allow you to achieve ideal skin: nourish it, protect it from moisture loss, slow down oxidative processes, provide smoothness, elasticity and transparency. And most importantly, they have a noticeable anti-age effect.

Another advantage: the gel-cream works as a “5 in 1” product - lotion, cream, serum, emulsion and even a makeup base. Therefore, with this product you can significantly reduce your beauty routine, but still get the same result.

Qinude Cleansing Makeup remover gel with organic silk fibroins

Not only creams with silk can preserve the beauty and youth of the skin for many years. Qinude Moisture Lotion is a cleansing gel from the Japanese company Chiso, which has been working with silk since 1555.

It is important not only to remove impurities from the surface of the skin, but also to give it nutrition, hydration and protection. Due to silk fibroins in Qinude gel, the skin will no longer suffer from temperature changes, sunlight and other external provocateurs of dryness and dullness.

At the same time, low-molecular-weight silk protein fibers will also have an antiseptic, wound-healing and rejuvenating effect. Collagen and elastin will consolidate the effect, eliminating even the smallest wrinkles, and hyaluronic acid and NMF factor will restore the skin’s water balance and save it from dehydration.

The product contains plant extracts and oils of peony root, tea leaf, soybean, chamomile, grapefruit, bergamot, jojoba and yuzu. These ingredients are known for their anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, which brighten and soften the skin. And the aromas of fruits and flowering plants will turn facial care into an aromatherapy session.

Kinka Gold HAKUICHI Silk cocoons, 10 pcs

The HAKUICHI company is known in Japan and the world as a manufacturer of precious metals. But don’t be embarrassed: one of HAKUICHI’s flagship products is gold leaf and platinum nanoparticles - they are precisely included in cosmetics produced under the same brand. Precious ingredients produce negative ions that trigger active metabolism in skin cells.

The HAKUICHI assortment features a product that is silk cocoons made from natural fiber. When used, they work as a gentle exfoliant: the product eliminates blackheads, heals wounds, tightens pores, evens out skin texture and restores its elasticity.

Silk cocoons with fibroin, wax and minerals also have a massage effect, improving blood circulation in the skin and gently tightening the oval of the face.

To use cocoons, you need to soak one copy in hot water for 2-3 minutes. As soon as it softens, put it on your index finger and massage it over the skin. The cocoon can be used up to 3 times: after use, simply dry it.